Stoptober: How To Stop Smoking

October 05, 2018

Finally had enough of that unwelcome habit of a lifetime? Looking to stop smoking but struggling to see how you’ll manage? Fortunately for you, the annual Stoptober campaign is back for a month of cigarette cessation, offering support to thousands of smokers across the country bravely taking part in personal quests to quit tobacco. We all know that smoking is bad for us. The thousands of lethal chemicals, compounds, carbon monoxide and tar that we’ve become so accustomed to smoking were simply not intended for our sensitive lungs. The ultimate aim of Stoptober is to stop smoking. Sounds pretty straightforward but how do you stop exactly?

If you’ve been smoking for some time you will undoubtedly be addicted to nicotine, which is the real crux of the problem here when it comes to tobacco. The cigarettes you’ve been smoking, have only been acting as a vehicle for the delivery of nicotine to your bloodstream and while nicotine is addictive it is relatively harmless. As mentioned before, it is, of course, all the other chemicals such as carbon monoxide that will be doing the real damage to you and your body.

Going cold turkey may work for some, but for the majority, the stress and strain that you’ll put your body and mind through simply isn’t worth it. Depending on how much you smoke, the withdrawal of nicotine can be one met with all sorts of niggling cravings, therefore it’s important to slowly retain and then slowly reduce your nicotine levels to minimise any withdrawal symptoms.

Visit the Stoptober websiteFirst, things, first. Visit the Stoptober website! Packed with tips and tricks to help you throughout the month, gain expert insight from those in the know and sign up to the challenge to receive your personalised action plan.

Launched by Public Health England in 2012, the Stoptober campaign provides expert tools, resources, and support to those looking to become free from the constraints of cigarettes. Watch videos and testimonials from those who have been there, done that and are proud to say that they are free tobacco smoke as well as downloading the Stoptober app to track your progress throughout the month.

Try E-CigarettesFound by Public Health England to be up to 95% less harmful than tobacco, e-cigarettes and vaping are fast becoming a go-to aid for many smokers in order to ditch the cigarettes. Similar in appearance, e-cigarettes provide users with nicotine by heating a nicotine-based e-liquid which in turn is vaporised by a battery powered atomiser. E-liquid comes in a variety of flavour choices and all importantly, nicotine levels which mean that you can gradually reduce levels and become smoke AND nicotine free in time. Win, win.

In addition to nicotine withdrawal, you’ll also be faced with cravings for sugar. Why? Tobacco contains up to 20% of natural sugars which your body will be looking to replace or sedate in some way. A high quality, VG based flavoured e-liquid such as VSAVI’s Watermelon or Raspberry will go some way to abating your desire for sugar.

Vaping CBD?As mentioned above, in addition to nicotine, your body will also be faced with a degree of sugar withdrawal and cravings. Did you know that up until 1972, doctors and general practitioners would actively prescribe cannabis extracts to addicts seeking help to curb cravings?

Currently being studied, is the theory that vaping CBD may help to alleviate and curb cravings for cigarettes. Whilst still in the early stages of research, it perhaps seems logical that a product that has a calming and relaxing influence on those who use it may indeed help quell any irritability or anxiety you may experience from your withdrawal of nicotine. One to watch.

At this time, no palliative or remedial benefits are recognised by the EU and the UK in regards to the medicinal benefits of CBD, however, there is a vast amount of first-hand anecdotal accounts of people being helped by CBD for various conditions. Since we cannot make medical claims about our products, we encourage you to browse the thousands of reputable studies regarding CBD published online and talk with your doctor to see if a CBD supplement is right for you.